New huge hydro plant plan is revealed for the Highlands
SSE is planning "one of the largest pumped storage hydro projects in the UK" at Loch Fearna in the Great Glen.
The proposed co-development, with a consortium led by Gilkes Energy, is located at the western end of Glengarry around 25km west of Invergarry and adjoins SSE Renewables’ existing Loch Quoich reservoir in the Great Glen hydro scheme.
SSE Renewables operates the largest fleet of hydro-electric power and pumped storage hydro assets in Scotland. It is now progressing development plans for new pumped storage hydropower projects in the Highlands to complement its existing fleet and deliver the large-scale, long-duration electricity storage (LDES) needed as part of Britain’s future energy mix.
The Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) project envisages the development of tunnels and a new power station connecting SSE Renewables’ existing reservoir at Loch Quoich with an upper reservoir at Loch Fearna.
SEE said: "The proposed development would be up to 1.8GW in generating capacity and capable of producing around 37GWh of stored energy capacity. The project has already secured a grid connection offer totalling 1,795MW.
"The Fearna site’s mountainous location is particularly suited to a pumped hydro storage project, as it provides a high head with an average of 376m, along with short tunnels approximately 1km long connecting the two water bodies.
"The geology and topography around the existing upper Loch Fearna are also ideal, acting as a natural ‘bowl’ shape, allowing straightforward modification to form a new, larger upper reservoir which would blend sensitively into the landscape. These key site characteristics and design features would make the project highly cost competitive."
A request for a scoping opinion for the project is currently before Scottish Government ministers and consultation has already commenced. If consented for development, Fearna could be one of the largest pumped storage hydro projects in the UK, SSE said. The project could reach commercial operations in the mid-2030s, subject to reaching a final investment decision.
Ross Turbet, Head of Investment Management for Hydro, SSE Renewables, said: “As the UK transitions to net zero, the development of additional pumped storage hydro projects will be crucial for energy security and for balancing an increasingly renewables-led energy system during periods when the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine.
’A welcome addition’
“The proposed Fearna project is a welcome addition to our development pipeline of pumped storage hydro projects, which also includes our proposal to develop what could be one of Britain’s biggest pumped storage schemes in 40 years at Coire Glas and our intention to convert our existing Sloy Power Station into a pumped storage facility.”
Carl Crompton, Managing Director of Gilkes Energy, added: “Energy storage allows energy produced during times of excess generation (mainly wind) to be stored and released later when there is a deficit of renewable energy. Pumped Storage Hydro projects are in effect very large water batteries and the technology behind these projects is very mature and robust. PSH projects can easily last for 100+ years with no degradation in performance."
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